World Cup: France Scores 3+ Goals in 5 Straight Matches, Fearsome Front Four Dominates Opponents

2026 World Cup Key News

(CNA Rutherford, July 1 - Reuters) France defeated Sweden 3-0 yesterday, becoming the first team in World Cup history to score at least 3 goals in 5 consecutive matches. Their front four of Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Barcola strike fear into opponents, who call France the strongest team in this tournament.

According to the Associated Press, Kylian Mbappé completed his third brace of the World Cup yesterday, bringing his total to 6 goals, tying him with Argentine star Lionel Messi for the tournament's top scorer. Ousmane Dembélé ranks fourth with 4 goals.

In the assist rankings this tournament, Michael Olise leads outright with 5 assists, while Mbappé and Dembélé each have 2 assists. Bradley Barcola has also contributed 2 goals and 1 assist for France.

Mbaappé has now played 18 World Cup matches and scored 18 goals, just one shy of Messi's 19 goals in 29 appearances.

Norway's head coach Ståle Solbakken described France's front four as "definitely the strongest in this tournament."

Sweden's coach Graham Potter praised France as the strongest team he has seen in this tournament. In this year's World Cup finals, France has won all 4 matches so far, with a goal difference of 13-2, outperforming all other teams.

However, French head coach Didier Deschamps still said, "We must demand more and more of ourselves because we will face stronger opponents. We need to adjust details and improve some shortcomings. Although it hasn't had major consequences so far, we did concede 2 goals."

The "Les Bleus" (The Blues) won the 2018 World Cup by defeating Croatia and drew 3-3 with Argentina in the 2022 final before losing on penalties.

Currently, France has surpassed Argentina to claim the top spot in the FIFA world rankings and is considered a strong favorite to defeat defending champions Argentina.

Mbaappé said through a translator, "Our attacking firepower now is better than in 2018 and 2022. This continues everything we have built under Deschamps' 14 years of coaching. You can see the evolution, his personal style, and the addition of many young talents."

After advancing to the Round of 16, France will face Paraguay, ranked 34th in the world, on the 4th. If they advance to the quarterfinals, potential opponents include Morocco (6th) and Canada (30th); in the semifinals, they might encounter Spain, ranked 3rd.

France is striving to become the third team, after West Germany (1982-1990) and Brazil (1994-2002), to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was a member of the 2022 squad. He said, "We have great memories and also the disappointment of the last World Cup. Everyone is ready to give their all and make all French people proud of us." (Compiled by Yang Zhaoyan) 07/01/115